Editing Lear's macaw (section)

==Conservation==
===Population and conservation status===
This species is currently listed as an [[endangered species]] ([[CITES]] I).

Yamashita, one of the first scientists to study this bird in the wild,<ref name="theparrotsocietyuk.org"/> in 1987 estimated that the global population numbered just 60 birds in 1983.<ref name=IUCN2016>{{cite iucn|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22685521/93077801 |title=''Anodorhynchus leari'' |author=BirdLife International |author-link=BirdLife International|year=2016 |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> The estimated global population in 1987 was 70 birds.<ref name=Holmer2007>{{cite press release | url= http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/releases/070718.html | publisher= American Bird Conservancy | date= 18 July 2007 | first= Steve | last= Holmer | title= Lear's Macaw Making a Remarkable Comeback in Protected Reserve | access-date= 11 August 2015 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140717001356/http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/releases/070718.html | archive-date= 17 July 2014 }}</ref> The wild population was surveyed as some 170 individuals in 2000.<ref name="theparrotsocietyuk.org"/> Based on this, [[Birdlife International]] (BI), which has written the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]] Red List assessments, gave an estimated population of 150 birds in 2000. BI claimed that the population growth was decreasing, but did not elaborate on their reasoning.<ref name=IUCN2000>{{cite iucn|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22685521/23555217 |title=''Anodorhynchus leari'' |author=BirdLife International |author-link=BirdLife International |year=2000 |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> The global population was censused at 246 birds in 2001 (Gilardi),<ref name=IUCN2008>{{cite iucn|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22685521/23567237 |title=''Anodorhynchus leari'' |author=BirdLife International |author-link=BirdLife International |year=2008 |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> 455 in 2003,<ref name=Holmer2007/> and the [[Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources]] (IBAMA) censused 570 wild birds in 2004.<ref name=Pacífico2014/> In their 2004 assessment, BI gave a much increased population of 246–280 birds, but continued to claim that the population was decreasing, again without reasoning.<ref name=IUCN2004>{{cite iucn|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22685521/23568353 |title=''Anodorhynchus leari'' |author=BirdLife International |author-link=BirdLife International |year=2004 |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> Barros counted a total wild population of 630 birds in 2006.<ref name=IUCN2008/> In June 2007 Fundação Biodiversitas staff counted 751 individuals.<ref name=Holmer2007/> Develey counted a total wild population of 960 birds in 2008.<ref name=IUCN2009>{{cite iucn|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22685521/23566333 |title=''Anodorhynchus leari'' |author=BirdLife International |author-link=BirdLife International |year=2009 |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> In the 2008 assessment BI countered that earlier surveys undercounted the birds, and that the population was not actually increasing. BI estimated a population of 250–500 mature wild individuals in 2008, arguing that because the population was probably increasing, most of the birds counted by in recent surveys were probably juveniles and therefore did not count as to the total population. BI states that if these juveniles mature over the next few years and the population grows from 250–500 to over 250 individuals, the species would need to be downlisted in the future. The population growth was stated to be uncertain, with BI reasoning that because in the 1990s some 40 birds had been trapped for the pet trade, which had represented a "very rapid decline", it was unclear if the increasing population was increasing.<ref name=IUCN2008/>

[[File:Arara-azul-de-lear no Raso da Catarina.jpg|upright|right|thumb|Wild macaws in the [[Raso da Catarina]] area]]

BI assessed the species as '[[critically endangered]]' up to the 2008 assessment, apparently somewhat mistakenly. In 2000, 2004 and 2008 the reason given for it being 'critically endangered' was because criterion C2a(ii) applied.<ref name=IUCN2000/><ref name=IUCN2008/><ref name=IUCN2004/> There is no criterion C2a(ii) for 'critically endangered' species, but there is for '[[Endangered species (IUCN status)|endangered]]' species. This states that if 95% or more of the population is found in a single subpopulation, and the total population is 2,500 or less, the species should be assessed as endangered.<ref name=IUCNcriteria>{{cite web|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/static/categories_criteria_3_1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202630/https://www.iucnredlist.org/static/categories_criteria_3_1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-03|title=Categories and Criteria (version 3.1)|website=www.iucnredlist.org}}</ref> This was not true, it was known that there were two subpopulations, perhaps three since a new discovery of 22 birds at another roosting location in 1995, but BI filled in this information incorrectly in the Population section, despite elaborating on the different subpopulations in the Geographic Range section in the same assessment.<ref name=IUCN2000/><ref name=IUCN2008/><ref name=IUCN2004/>

In the 2009 assessment, the conservation status of the species was downgraded to endangered from critically endangered by BI, as it was by now clear that the population was growing rapidly. Despite stating this, BI estimated the population as unchanged since 2008, at 250–500 individuals, claiming most of the rest of the total population were probably sub-adults, and that the population growth was unknown. The species was assessed as endangered based on criteria B1ab(iii),<ref name=IUCN2009/> which state that the [[extent of occurrence]] was severely fragmented (confusingly, the same assessment states the population is not fragmented) and showed a continuing decline in quality of habitat.<ref name=IUCNcriteria/> In 2010 Barbosa counted the population at the Toca Velha and Serra Branca roosting sites as 1,123 birds,<ref name=IUCN2012/><ref name=Pacífico2014/><ref name=IUCN2016/> of which at least at least 258 were adults, more than 250. In the 2012 IUCN assessment the estimated population had grown to 250–999 individuals. The population growth was still stated to be uncertain, although the justification given for this was that the population was now clearly increasing rapidly. The number of subpopulations was changed to two.<ref name=IUCN2012/> Lugarini ''et al''. counted 1,263 birds in 2012.<ref name=IUCN2016/> A 2012 count at the unprotected third subpopulation, with roosting sites some 230 kilometres from the main two subpopulations, only found two macaws.<ref name=Pacífico2014/> The 2013 assessment was basically the same as the 2012 one.<ref name=IUCN2013>{{cite iucn|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22685521/48042913 |title=''Anodorhynchus leari'' |author=BirdLife International |author-link=BirdLife International |year=2013 |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> The 2016 IUCN assessment continued to give an estimated total population of 250–999 individuals, with the population growth given as uncertain, although it was now clear the population was growing. BI slightly changed the text to state that 228 birds were adults, more than 250, instead of 258.<ref name=IUCN2016/> The 2017 assessment is identical to the 2016 one, but includes a map for the first time, showing the roosting areas of the two subpopulations.<ref name=IUCN2017>{{cite iucn|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22685521/119259023 |title=''Anodorhynchus leari'' |author=BirdLife International |author-link=BirdLife International |year=2017 |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref>

In 2014 [[Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation]] (ICMBio) counted 1,294 birds, this increased to 1,354 in the 2017 ICMBio count, and grew further to 1,694 in the 2018 count. In the 2019 IUCN assessment, BI continued to assert that the population was 250–999 individuals, but now first stated that the population growth was increasing. The map was extended to show the foraging ranges, and not only the roosting sites. The 'Threats' section was updated to emphasise reduction of food resources due to [[habitat destruction|habitat loss]] caused by the historical expansion of agricultural development in the region (criterion B1b(iii)). An explanation was also given for reducing the number of mature individuals to 228, a 2014 study published by Pacífico ''et al''.<ref name=IUCN2019>{{cite iucn|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22685521/141364064 |title=''Anodorhynchus leari'' |author=BirdLife International |author-link=BirdLife International |year=2019 |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> This study stated that although the total population size at some 1,125 birds was well known by 2010, it was unknown how many of these birds were actively breeding. During the 2010 season, 114 nests and probable nests were counted. As each nest represents two actively breeding birds, this indicates that 20.3% of the population was actively breeding each season, which is comparable to other similar parrot species.<ref name=Pacífico2014/> This would also indicate that there were at least 228 mature individuals at the time, assuming maturity was defined as those individuals which were successful at breeding, and would indicate that by 2018, some 340 birds would be reproductively active adults.<ref name=IUCN2019/> Of the nests which were monitored, some 80% of the nests showed successful reproduction, which is quite high compared to other parrots.<ref name=Pacífico2014/>

===Threats===
As well as habitat loss, Lear's macaw may have historically suffered from hunting,<ref name=IUCN2019/> and more recently, trapping for the [[aviary]] trade in the 1990s.<ref name="theparrotsocietyuk.org"/><ref name=IUCN2008/>

===Funding and conservation actions===
[[File:Anodorhynchus leari (3).JPG|right|thumb|Lear's macaw at Canudos Biological Station in [[Bahia]] state, Brazil]]
[[:pt:Fundação Biodiversitas|Fundação Biodiversitas]] bought and created the Canudos Biological Station in 1991 to protect the sandstone cliffs of Toca Velha used by the macaws to roost and nest.<ref name=Hance2007>{{cite news| url=http://news.mongabay.com/2009/0609-hance_learsmacaw.html |title= Lear's Macaw: back from the brink | date= 9 June 2009 |first= Jeremy |last= Hance| website= Mongabay.com}}</ref><ref name=INEMA>{{cite web|title=APA Serra Branca / Raso da Catarina|language=pt|publisher=INEMA: Instituto do Meio Ambiente e Recursos Hídricos (BA) |url=http://www.inema.ba.gov.br/gestao-2/unidades-de-conservacao/apa/serra-branca-raso-da-catarina/|access-date=2016-11-03}}</ref> Canudos Biological Station was expanded in 2007, partially with funding by the [[American Bird Conservancy]], from {{Convert|375|acre|hectare}} to {{Convert|3,649|acre|hectare}}.<ref name=ABC2020/><ref name=Hance2007/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcbirds.org/blog/top-nine-birding-destinations-in-2019/ |title=Top Nine Birding Destinations in 2019 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=1 February 2019 |website=BirdCalls - News and Perspectives on Bird Conservation |publisher=[[American Bird Conservancy]] |access-date=11 October 2021}}</ref>

Two [[protected area]]s,<ref name=IUCN2020/> designated by the Brazilian government in 2001, conserve portions of the range: [[Raso da Catarina Ecological Station]] ({{Convert|104,842|hectare|acre}}, administered by [[Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation|ICMBio]]),<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2016-04-19|language=Portuguese|title=Esec Raso da Catarina|publisher=[[Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation]]|url=http://www.icmbio.gov.br/portal/biodiversidade/unidades-de-conservacao/biomas-brasileiros/caatinga/unidades-de-conservacao-caatinga/2119-esec-raso-da-catarina.html|archive-date=2014-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610060548/http://www.icmbio.gov.br/portal/biodiversidade/unidades-de-conservacao/biomas-brasileiros/caatinga/unidades-de-conservacao-caatinga/2119-esec-raso-da-catarina.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Serra Branca / Raso da Catarina Environmental Protection Area]] ({{Convert|67,234|hectare|acre}}, administered by the [[:pt:Instituto do Meio Ambiente e Recursos Hídricos|Instituto do Meio Ambiente e Recursos Hídricos]], the state agency of Bahia tasked with the environment). This latter area contains both the privately owned Canudos Biological Station where Toca Velha is located, and the privately owned Serra Branca ranch, which contains the majority of the nest and roost sites.<ref name=INEMA/>

Current Lear's macaw conservation projects are managed under the authority of [[Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources|IBAMA]]. Various independent conservation organizations,<ref name="theparrotsocietyuk.org"/> under direction of ICMBio, along with local ranchers, are working to help conserve the species.

In 1992 the 'Special Working Group for the Preservation of the Lear's Macaw' was created. In 1997 the 'Committee for the Preservation of the Lear's Macaw (''Anodorhynchus leari'')' was formed. In 1999 this committee was amalgamated with that of ''A. hyacinthinus'' and was renamed 'The Committee for the Recovery and Management of the ''Anodorhynchus leari'' Lear's Macaw and ''Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus'' Hyacinth Macaw'.<ref name="theparrotsocietyuk.org"/> The 'Committee for the Conservation and Management of the Lear's Macaw' advises IBAMA on the conservation of Lear's macaw. The committee includes Brazilian and international organizations and individuals.